This subject addresses specific translation issues in various professional and social settings which will be approached firstly, through theoretical discussion in relation to context and cognitive environment, followed by the practical translation of authentic texts, which illustrate the issues involved.

Objectives

i.Translate a variety of linguistic registers, informed by theoretical insight.

ii.Develop specialized competence in one or more areas of professional discourse.

iii.Develop a glossary in order to expand and store knowledge of specialised terms and how they      might be used.

iv.Identify and discuss theoretical and methodological issues related to the translation of      different professional discourses.

v.Utilise problem-solving strategies for specialist discourses.

vi.Use a variety of specialised dictionaries, glossaries, and web-based translation aids.

The unit combines a weekly seminar with language-specific tutorials in which students will be introduced to translation and translating in a variety of different environments.  

This unit will focus on translation from Chinese into English.

TIMETABLE

Seminars are scheduled for Wednesday morning at XX am.  Workshops will be held on Wednesday afternoon at XX pm.

CONSULTATION TIME

If you require consultation, please email your lecturer to make an appointment.

CORE COMPONENT OF THE UNIT

The core component is divided into 12 seminars of 2 hours duration. Seminars are delivered in English and students are expected to have thoroughly read the reading material set for each week. The knowledge acquired in this section of the unit will be applied in:

a) workshop translation exercises

b) assessed translation tasks, and

c) the final exam.

WORKSHOP TRANSLATION EXERCISES

Workshops start in week 2 with the workshop translation exercises beginning in the same week. Workshop translation exercises must be completed every week and should be accessed from the class email account. Students should prepare their exercises (including a critical commentary on the translation process) as well as any questions/problems for discussion in the workshop. Workshop translation exercises are not formally assessed, however they will undergo a process of peer review in the weekly workshop.  Completion of workshop translation exercises will contribute to the class participation mark. 

ASSESSED TRANSLATION TASKS

Aside from the weekly workshop translation tasks, students will also submit two assessed translation tasks over the course of the semester.  These will be due in Week 5 and Week 9.  The content of these tasks will reflect topics covered during the course of the semester and will be assessed according to two main criteria: (a) process (i.e. the student’s reflection on the process of translating the text) and (b) product (i.e. the accuracy and professionalism of the translation).

Tasks must be downloaded from the class email account.  They will be made available one week before the due date (Sunday 9 pm) and submitted via email before the same time the following week. 

The assessed translation task must be submitted together with the Integrated Translator’s Diary (ITD), three drafts translations that show successive changes made to each translation and a copy of the Translation Evaluation Grid.  As part of the ITD, students are expected to report on problems, actions and decisions made in the translation process, undertake research (e.g. access parallel texts), and revision/proof-reading the translation before submission. 

FINAL EXAM

The final exam forms part of the overall assessment of the unit. Students are asked to complete written translations of two passages of 250 words or equivalent length each from Chinese into English.  The passages will be from two different subject areas. Both translations as well as two theoretical questions will be completed in one sitting of 3 hours plus 15 minutes reading time.

Late Work Policy

For all assignments handed in after the due date and without an agreed extension, a five percent penalty applies for the first day of the missed deadline. After that, a subsequent penalty of 2% per day will be applied for the next thirteen calendar days after the due date (including Saturdays and Sundays).

No assignment can be accepted after more than fourteen calendar days except in exceptional circumstances and in consultation with your lecturer or tutor. If students face a significant illness or serious issue, it may be that Special Consideration is warranted. See:

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/procedures/special-consideration.php

Complaints, Grievances and Misconduct Policy and Procedures

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/misconduct.php

ASSESSMENT dates (Please write them down in your diary)

Please note that you are required to complete every assessment task included in the above outline.

Evaluation Breakdown